Jesus is coming back

Sing songs that end in heaven

For me, I have a constant sense of longing, which is usually a result of the challenges I face

Malachi 3:1 - The Israelites lived in light of an act of deliverance (the Exodus) and before the coming of God (the first appearing). So we live in light of deliverance (the cross) and before the coming of God (the second appearing). When I read the Old Testament it reminds me that as they could be sure of the first appearing. I can be sure of the second

I’m not sure I do this very well, but I do use the structure of the Lord’s Prayer for my personal prayer times, and so praying for “your Kingdom come” each day which is a helpful reminder. I also try to pray that my family (nuclear and church!) would grow in holiness and faithfulness until we die, or until Jesus returns (whichever is sooner)

I have a daily reminder on my Google calendar at 7:30pm "remember Jesus is coming back". Had it in place for 12/13 years now, and forces me every morning, (if only for a few seconds sometimes!) to intentionally think about Jesus coming back. All thanks to David Longley, ex Bible translator in Africa, now with Jesus, for the idea through one of his sermons when I was a student 😊

Family: awesome cutlerys great song "he's coming back again" and having intentional conversations with my daughter about Jesus coming back in response to the song

Church: I feel this is my weakest area sadly, probably just whenever it arises in a preaching series? I'll have to think more about this

I guess just think about it and read the Bible

A simple thing I like to do is when saying grace before having a meal (particularly when having 'nicer' meals), to thank God that although the food is going to be really tasty, we are looking forward to a much better feast (as per Isaiah 25).

A more sombre one is when dealing with pastoral issues and seeing people cry, to remember (or pray about the fact) that one day God will wipe away every tear from his childrens' eyes! It always strikes me as a very tender image, and one I hold very dearly.

Whenever I see injustice in the world, in my own life, or in the church, I think of two things: the cross, and the second coming. Between Christ’s substitutionary atonement and his coming in judgement the full justice of God is assured. We can trust that sins committed by those who are believers have already been dealt with on the cross, or will be if they have not yet repented and put their trust in Christ, and that if people do not ever trust in Christ their sins will be dealt with on the last day.

Wish I did keep it more at forefront of my mind but:

Read the Bible book by book chapter by chapter. Every chapter of the NT points us forward in some way

I think it’s something we don’t talk about enough

In the midst of a broken world, always reminding myself that there is a new creation to come that is perfect

Reading the Bible and striving for godliness

Not sure we’re great at it as a church but a question I ask myself regularly and encourage others to ask is ‘is the light of eternity what does this matter?’ That’s not so much about the second coming but to keep an eternal perspective.

Good question.  Answer. Not really at all if I’m honest! I basically long for Jesus return sometimes when I read the news, or when we’re dealing with something sad/distressing pastorally. But that’s often more motivated by “I just wish this was over” rather than necessarily a longing for Jesus return. (I’m not a very saintly Christian leader!) 

Family: at bedtime with the children we talk about all topics of the Bible including the certain hope we have in Christ’s return 

Church: we have in recent times reconfirmed our basis of faith including preaching through each of the core doctrine including good sessions on Jesus’ return. It’s also quite hard to avoid discussing Jesus’ birth without death and resurrection, and without his coming again. It’s also a continual reminder through communion services. 

Repeat to yourself that Jesus is coming SOON

Mention it often

• Mention the second coming every time you share the Lords supper

• Mention the second coming in every sermon… I’m not kidding. Every passage has an eschatological aim. 

• include songs that sing of heaven/the return of Christ.  

• include it in your pastoral prayers.  

My morning Bible reading today was in 1 Peter about the second coming ... so keep reading the Bible!!

Some thoughts from me in no particular order:

No actual method apart from systematic Bible reading, meaning the subject comes up from time to time (more often than one might expect)

In answering your question, I think God has helped me to put Christ's second coming before me by making me constantly dependant on it for encouragement. I am particularly vulnerable to discouragement when I see sin abound in the world, and evil prospering. Looking at specific passages, e.g. Revelation 5, 21, and 2 Peter 2:4-10, and meditating on them in the face of my discouragement, is a great weapon for waging war, remembering that the Lord isn't just on the throne, but won His worthiness by taking on the full force of the worst that sin had to offer in opposition upon the cross, and now has the authority to bring all to an end, and that He has victory now, and will come in judgment against evil and salvation and rescue for those who loved His appearing.

For me- praying about it regularly particularly when there's frustrations or difficulties in life. Thanking the Lord that they will be no more when Jesus returns. A few years ago a friend and I were doing "Maranatha Mondays"- so fasting on Mondays and part of our fasting would be longing for Jesus's return to help us fight sin.

for family- similar, 

for church- good songs that mention his return like 

It is a very important question as it is an important thing to remind ourselves about. I guess there are a few things that I do to help me keep Christ’s return in view:

• Primarily it’s by the ordinary means of grace, ensuring that I am sitting under the regular preaching of the Word, prayer, and the sacraments. They keep our hearts looking for His appearing far more than any special events/dedicated days do. 

• When I am leading the Early Morning Communion service at Church, I do constantly point to the union and communion we have with Christ when He returns.

• Also, if I am preaching on a Sunday morning, I try to go to an evening service where I'm sitting under the Word being preached.

• The Lord’s Day is significant also. By honouring the Sabbath, we are constantly reminded of the eternal rest really, which shapes how we see the future.

• Often, when the whole family are together, we pray together and read Scripture together, singing psalms & hymns that look to Christ’s kingdom, and I personally use the Westminster Standards as well as the catechisms (WSC, WLC, Heidelberg). 

• In terms of worship, the Lord’s Supper is a constant reminder that we proclaim His death till He come. We look forward to the marriage supper of the Lamb. 

• Even regularly reciting the Lord’s Prayer, we’re looking ahead when we pray 'Thy kingdom come'. We’re not only longing for the growth of Christ’s kingdom now but also for His final coming in glory.

• The book, Eternity changes everything: How to live now in light of your future by Stephen Witmer

It makes sense after we've spent time dwelling on his first coming to look forward to his next coming👍

I dwell on His second coming a bit in personal quiet times, and we talk about it quite regularly as a family (like this morning at breakfast for example). Going through Daniel as a group in our young adult Bible study has reminded us all of Revelation and other apocalyptic literature. My dad has recently done a series in Revelation in church, and that has stimulated lots of discussions about the new heaven and new earth in our house.

I don't do this well, at all. Mostly comes to mind whenever we do the evangelistic outreach to teenagers, reminding myself that we have a responsibility to warn them to repent and believe before Jesus returns. So the "way" I keep it at the front of my mind is reminding myself why we do the outreach (because they need to be ready to meet Jesus!)

I can think of two things off the top of my head: 

Hi Rohan, not sure if this will be what you’re after but as I see the state the world is in, the constant wars, riots and general disregard for God, also the programmes on tv that use His name with no thought of Him I pray they’ll be made aware that He is real, the only true God who died for them and will one day return to take His own to be with Him. That really gets me looking forward to that day. I long to be able to encourage family with this knowledge/fact/belief. Also, selfishly, when in pain or struggling other ways with life I long for that day when He will return. I’ve thought a few times I’d like Him to take me but it would be easier all around if Jesus returned 1st then nobody would have the job of sorting my things out - that I’m trying but failing to do. I love Rev 21:4 which the Lord clearly gave to me after my husband died and I often share with others in times of difficulty, though Rev 21 from v 1 is an encouragement. As I lay in bed last night I was thinking of Jesus’ returning and a song came to me that I always used to think of and sing as a prayer. It’s based on  Matthew 24 - “I Wish We’d All Been Ready”. I know the Cliff Richard version from 1977. Someone else recorded it in the 90’s I think! 

We are about to start leading an advent series with our church community (aka life group). After Malachi, everyone was waiting for 400 years, and then Jesus came. Now, we have been waiting 2000 years and counting, but we can use each advent along the way to remember that we are waiting for Jesus to come back. Christmas 2.0!

I'll split your question in three parts (and I may throw in a third part too).

Personally what l do is acknowledge who He is and what He has done for me, so l seek His face daily and try to communicate with Him daily and often. Reading His word and meditating and believing. Sharing this truth with others in words and action. Praying for the saints, sinners and loved ones who are still unsaved. Eagerly waiting for His coming. 

I would try to use the same tactic regarding what my faith is based on, the fact that Jesus went to the cross  for me so I can be free to follow his teachings, by regular reading of his gospel, including the myriads of refs to his second coming, we all need regular prompts on what is promised to us

I think this season is a prime time to talk about the second coming. As we enter Adventure (meaning arrival), the season that celebrates Jesus’ fist arrival gives us hope for His return. Over the past few years our church has focused on the birth of Jesus as we have looked to His return. With the same expectation the Jews looked for Messiah, so also should we live in the same spirit of expectation and anticipation of His return. Here in the States there has been a renewed interest in studying Revelation. I have even had members ask for a study on Heaven. I think with growing turmoil in the world, believer’s heart are turning more and more toward Jesus’ return.  One other way to keep the Second Coming before people is through the songs and music you use during worship. From traditional hymns to modern worship songs, there are lyrics that speak to the anticipation of His return.

I LOVE questions like this 😆. I spent the last year studying Revelation with a guy I'm mentoring. It actually started because I was inspired by doing the Imperial College CU It has been an issue that has been on my mind much of my Christian life. But like many people the urgency of Jesus return got lost in the confusion over the millennium. Since settling on an amillenialistic view, which made more sense to me, it opened up a way to understand the whole book (my former approach was too literal, which led to a lot of confusion). I also read Nancie Guthrie's book (can't remember the name!), which is brilliant. But most of all, since a major renewal in my faith 6 years ago, my understanding of biblical HOPE has come alive. I find myself increasingly longing for the New Creation.

I find these things remind me of the 2nd coming, reciting the apostles creed and Lord's prayer though they don't specifically say the second coming in them. It's more implied. Whenever I hear of war and injustice I remind myself of the 2nd coming when there will be justice etc. I don't really think about it enough but am often struck how often it's mentioned in the letters how we should be eagerly anticipating it and encouraging each other to focus on that hope that we have.

I try to drop it in conversation (when I think of it) as a reply/rejoindre - “unless Jesus comes back before then” or “Jesus may return by then/this evening etc”

Use every ache, pain, disappointment and broken thing to remind me/us that this world is not our home. There are ages and stages when this is easier as there are more of them! It is the middle years of life when we can be more easily sucked into the here and now by a steady creep. So turn every blessing into a cause of thankfulness and a reminder of the better yet to come. Make the most of the Lord's Day which reminds us of death and resurrection. Avoid the endless speculation over debatable matters as that tends to put us off thinking about it.